Understanding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), The Silent Killer of the Modern Era

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Understanding Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs),
The Silent Killer of the Modern Era


Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), often referred to as chronic diseases, are medical conditions that are not passed from person to person. They are generally of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors.

1. Major Types of Non-Communicable Diseases
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), four main types of NCDs account for the majority of deaths worldwide:
  • Cardiovascular Diseases: Such as heart attacks and strokes.
  • Cancers: Various types of abnormal cell growth.
  • Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma.
  • Diabetes: Metabolic disorders characterized by elevated blood sugar levels.
2. Risk Factors: Why Do NCDs Occur?
NCDs do not appear overnight. They are driven by two primary categories of risk factors:

A. Modifiable Behavioral Risk Factors
These are triggers that can be controlled through lifestyle choices:
  • Tobacco Use: Exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increases the risk of cancer and heart disease.
  • Unhealthy Diet: High consumption of sugar, salt, and trans fats, combined with low fiber intake.
  • Physical Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity and metabolic imbalances.
  • Harmful Use of Alcohol: Damages the liver and raises blood pressure.
B. Metabolic Risk Factors
If unhealthy behaviors persist, the body undergoes physiological changes, such as:
  1. Hypertension (High blood pressure).
  2. Overweight/Obesity.
  3. Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose levels).
  4. Hyperlipidemia (High levels of fat/cholesterol in the blood).
3. Economic and Social Impact
NCDs are not just a health issue; they are a development challenge. These diseases often strike people during their most productive years, leading to:
  • Decreased labor productivity.
  • High treatment costs that are often long-term and catastrophic.
  • Household poverty caused by the loss of a breadwinner or the depletion of savings for medical care.
4. Prevention Strategies: The "CERDIK" Approach
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health promotes the "CERDIK" campaign to prevent NCDs. While the acronym is local, the principles are global:
  • Check health regularly.
  • Eliminate cigarette smoke.
  • Regular physical activity.
  • Diet in a balanced way.
  • Intelligent stress management.
  • Keep enough sleep/rest.
Data Sources and References
This article was compiled based on data from the following official health authorities:
  1. World Health Organization (WHO): Noncommunicable Diseases Fact Sheets (2024/2025).
  2. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia: Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) reports on NCD prevalence.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Global chronic disease prevention guidelines.
NCDs are "silent" because they often show no symptoms until a serious complication occurs.
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